These cuts will affect all ages but will have an especially disastrous impact on elderly people living in rural areas. The subsidised bus routes are a lifeline enabling older people to get out and about for health checks, shopping, socialising and indeed volunteering in their community.

Last year, an Age UK report revealed that loneliness is more dangerous than smoking when it comes to older peoples health. For many, the proposed bus cuts will take away their independence and access to wider services which keep them active and social.

We hope by encouraging people to sign our petition we will show the council how strongly the public feel about enabling older people to stay independent and active members of their community.

Age Space is an online resource sharing information and advice on all things relating to elderly care and we hear first hand the impact loneliness can have on older people and their carers who are often elderly themselves.

We know that keeping older people active, improves their health and quality of life. Age Space is all about celebrating later life and we believe older people (most who have worked hard and paid their taxes), deserve to be able to take part in their community.

The wider cost implications of older people becoming more isolated and the effects this will have on health and social care budgets should be taken into consideration.